Defending champion Plage De Havre returns to the Old Newton Cup aiming to become one of the few horses to win the prestigious handicap in successive years.
Trained by Andrew Balding, the talented gelding produced a determined performance to land last year’s renewal, showing a perfect blend of stamina, tactical speed and courage to prevail in a fiercely competitive finish.
Since that memorable success, Plage De Havre has continued to perform with credit in strong handicap company, proving that last year’s victory was no fluke.
His consistent form suggests he remains in excellent condition and is once again ready to challenge for one of the summer’s most valuable staying prizes.
A higher handicap mark will undoubtedly make his task more demanding, but experience can often prove invaluable in races of this nature.
Plage De Havre has shown he can settle comfortably in a large field before producing a sustained late challenge, a racing style that has served him well throughout his career.
The opposition includes top-weight Burdett Road, the consistent Night Breeze, and several progressive younger rivals, ensuring another highly competitive renewal.
However, few runners possess the proven course-and-race credentials of the defending champion.
Andrew Balding has an excellent record with middle-distance performers, and his patient handling of Plage De Havre has allowed the gelding to develop into a reliable handicap specialist. If the pace is strong and he enjoys a clear passage in the closing stages, he has every chance of mounting another serious bid for victory.
Winning consecutive Old Newton Cups is never easy, but Plage De Havre has the class, stamina and experience to make history.
A repeat success would confirm his status as one of Britain’s finest staying handicappers.
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